Only Mainland China shows no advantage. That may simply be because 97% of those surveyed in Mainland China are PMP® certified. There’s certainly an advantage in other areas in the region, such as Taiwan, South Korea, and Singapore.

Will I Get a Raise When I Get My PMP®?

26% of those surveyed received salary increases of at least 5% in the previous 12 months. The full impact of the PMP advantage isn’t likely to happen immediately, but PMP certification can put you on the path to earning more.

Are You Above Average?

Also consider that 23% is just the average salary difference it makes to have your PMP®. By definition, half the people are above average. If you’re above average, then you can expect to see an even greater increase.

In my case, my salary (which was already six figures) increased by 50% within 3 years of getting my PMP® certification (back in 2005), and by 100% within 6 years.

How Much Can I Expect to Earn?

That depends of course on your experience, industry, career path, and location. Here are some tables that present an analysis of this question. You can use them to get an idea of what to expect.

How Does Median Project Manager Salary Vary by Country?

This table shows the median salary for project managers by country. Note that this is the median for all project managers, whether PMP certified or not.

Also note that throughout this article, we’re talking about salary alone – not including other benefits, bonuses, commissions, stock options, and so on.

Country

Non-PMP

PMP

Advantage

Australia

$100,181

$110,887

11%

Belgium

$66,876

$81,080

21%

Brazil

$36,864

$46,080

25%

Canada

$63,746

$74,995

18%

Chile

$37,938

$54,360

43%

China

$29,040

$29,040

0%

Colombia

$22,440

$33,308

48%

Costa Rica

$31,172

$42,000

35%

Ecuador

$26,000

$39,800

53%

Egypt

$8,273

$10,754

30%

France

$55,669

$64,719

16%

Germany

$78,202

$90,607

16%

Hong Kong

$61,800

$75,190

22%

India

$20,264

$27,486

36%

Ireland

$66,876

$75,506

13%

Italy

$48,539

$53,933

11%

Japan

$58,435

$62,930

8%

Malaysia

$25,141

$32,498

29%

Mexico

$25,836

$36,834

43%

Netherlands

$75,506

$86,292

14%

New Zealand

$72,512

$88,704

22%

Nigeria

$20,097

$21,542

7%

Peru

$29,848

$36,548

22%

Poland

$31,662

$41,754

32%

Qatar

$74,083

$85,607

16%

Saudi Arabia

$57,581

$69,844

21%

Singapore

$57,158

$69,304

21%

South Africa

$47,868

$75,392

57%

South Korea

$53,400

$62,300

17%

Spain

$43,146

$50,697

18%

Sweden

$67,617

$74,903

11%

Switzerland

$121,718

$136,003

12%

Taiwan

$26,560

$30,495

15%

Turkey

$27,608

$33,130

20%

United Arab Emirates

$72,000

$89,149

24%

United Kingdom

$69,980

$82,477

18%

United States

$92,000

$115,000

25%

How Does Median Project Manager Salary Vary by Experience?

Experience also plays a significant role in determining salary, as you can see in this table.

Country

< 3 yrs

3-5 yrs

5-10 yrs

10-15 yrs

15-20 yrs

> 20 yrs

Australia

$68,827

$76,474

$91,769

$111,652

$122,358

$133,830

Belgium

$54,580

$64,792

$80,899

$96,000

$108,012

Brazil

$32,224

$33,054

$40,602

$47,084

$58,003

$64,448

Canada

$48,747

$59,996

$66,797

$76,495

$83,432

$89,994

Chile

$36,240

$50,736

$54,360

$62,331

$70,967

China

$23,595

$22,651

$29,040

$31,944

$34,848

$26,862

Colombia

$16,320

$18,700

$24,480

$37,468

$41,480

$52,025

Costa Rica

$21,000

$34,145

$38,850

$43,200

Ecuador

$22,200

$31,200

$38,000

$56,000

Egypt

$11,030

$7,280

$10,269

$12,271

$14,190

France

$44,225

$50,112

$56,090

$64,719

$69,217

$86,292

Germany

$58,247

$69,034

$82,247

$92,764

$102,472

$103,550

Hong Kong

$61,800

$64,375

$79,104

$92,700

$98,494

India

$17,102

$21,378

$24,432

$31,304

$38,175

$45,810

Ireland

$50,319

$61,321

$70,112

$80,899

$89,150

$103,011

Italy

$37,753

$40,989

$48,539

$53,933

$59,973

$64,719

Japan

$53,940

$56,637

$66,526

$71,920

$71,920

Malaysia

$22,072

$23,471

$27,082

$34,303

$36,673

$50,778

Mexico

$17,522

$23,521

$31,572

$36,834

$49,989

$52,812

Netherlands

$56,090

$59,326

$75,506

$91,685

$97,079

$107,865

New Zealand

$49,368

$61,952

$75,328

$88,000

$95,040

$98,560

Nigeria

$12,505

$22,330

$28,710

$38,280

Peru

$19,610

$25,584

$36,548

$40,325

$48,366

$60,914

Poland

$25,229

$30,275

$37,844

$43,621

$45,412

$50,458

Qatar

$53,120

$79,021

$98,777

$109,395

$126,215

Saudi Arabia

$36,788

$45,319

$63,979

$79,974

$95,436

$118,362

Singapore

$55,729

$45,440

$58,587

$83,893

$92,595

$85,736

South Africa

$38,103

$40,688

$56,644

$75,033

$87,758

$95,736

South Korea

$45,657

$56,070

$62,300

$71,200

$71,200

Spain

$37,753

$38,831

$44,575

$53,933

$59,326

$64,719

Sweden

$51,751

$59,923

$62,646

$73,769

$76,265

$85,118

Switzerland

$94,698

$101,879

$121,536

$136,003

$146,077

$161,189

Taiwan

$22,605

$22,953

$29,511

$32,790

$36,069

$47,546

Turkey

$22,086

$27,608

$33,130

$41,412

$49,694

United Arab Emirates

$54,442

$65,330

$78,396

$98,000

$124,128

$143,727

United Kingdom

$41,238

$56,234

$74,729

$82,477

$91,224

$104,971

United States

$75,000

$85,000

$100,000

$115,000

$122,000

$130,000

How Does Median PMP®-Certified Salary Vary by Experience?

Here are the results by experience for those who are PMP certified.

Country

< 5 yrs

5-10 yrs

10+ yrs

Australia

$100,946

$114,711

$122,358

Belgium

$70,759

$86,292

$101,674

Brazil

$41,891

$48,336

$62,837

Canada

$68,508

$77,995

$88,944

Chile

$51,340

$55,266

China

$26,136

$29,040

$36,300

Colombia

$26,520

$39,168

$54,400

Costa Rica

$39,060

$46,200

$49,750

Ecuador

$35,000

$45,600

Egypt

$9,100

$13,071

$13,545

France

$59,326

$67,955

$75,506

Germany

$86,292

$93,843

$99,011

Hong Kong

$64,375

$78,795

$105,790

India

$23,821

$30,922

$38,175

Ireland

$71,514

$80,899

$94,355

Italy

$49,618

$56,090

$59,919

Japan

$59,334

$62,930

$71,920

Malaysia

$28,323

$37,576

$45,136

Mexico

$29,230

$40,412

$56,119

Netherlands

$81,977

$90,720

$88,719

New Zealand

$83,072

$91,520

$99,803

Nigeria

$19,140

$26,796

Peru

$34,112

$43,858

$52,538

Poland

$38,146

$47,531

$50,963

Qatar

$80,901

$98,777

$131,702

Saudi Arabia

$61,420

$94,636

$97,984

Singapore

$60,015

$78,592

$106,456

South Africa

$66,217

$79,780

$95,736

South Korea

$53,512

$66,750

$71,645

Spain

$48,539

$58,247

$68,603

Sweden

$69,516

$77,173

$84,437

Switzerland

$128,951

$141,040

$151,115

Taiwan

$27,708

$32,462

$36,233

Turkey

$33,130

$41,412

$49,694

United Arab Emirates

$80,030

$107,795

$115,009

United Kingdom

$74,979

$87,476

$103,392

United States

$103,000

$120,000

$130,000

How Does Median Project Manager Salary Vary by Industry?

This table is specifically for the United States, but you can expect to see similar results in other countries.

Industry

%

25th Percentile

Median

75th Percentile

Aerospace

4%

$99,000

$118,000

$143,920

Business services

1%

$75,000

$95,000

$113,000

Construction

3%

$80,000

$100,000

$126,000

Consulting

7%

$100,000

$125,000

$152,100

Engineering

7%

$97,750

$117,500

$142,000

Financial services

7%

$90,000

$110,000

$130,000

Food and beverage

1%

$89,640

$113,500

$133,850

Government

11%

$92,000

$113,878

$138,291

Healthcare

10%

$90,000

$108,000

$128,500

Information technology

20%

$92,500

$114,000

$135,000

Insurance

3%

$95,000

$110,000

$127,000

Legal

< 1%

$100,000

$117,400

$134,400

Manufacturing

5%

$90,000

$108,500

$128,000

Pharmaceuticals

3%

$104,000

$129,000

$155,000

Real Estate

< 1%

$79,900

$100,000

$124,000

Resources (Agriculture/Mining/etc.)

1%

$102,000

$130,000

$150,000

Telecommunications

4%

$92,000

$109,000

$129,000

Training/Education

1%

$73,522

$90,000

$107,500

Utility

3%

$96,739

$117,875

$134,000

Other

8%

$85,000

$105,000

$130,000

How Does Median Project Manager Salary Vary by Team Size?

Yes, the larger the project team, the more the project manager gets paid.

< 5

5-10

10-15

15-20

20+

Australia

$99,416

$103,240

$114,711

$122,358

$130,006

Belgium

$72,809

$77,059

$86,831

$78,386

$90,607

Brazil

$41,891

$42,536

$46,918

$46,241

$48,336

Canada

$67,496

$73,870

$77,245

$78,771

$86,619

Chile

$41,690

$51,130

$63,420

$54,360

$67,950

China

$28,023

$27,878

$29,040

$29,040

$30,056

Colombia

$24,480

$29,988

$34,000

$34,360

$34,680

Costa Rica

$40,460

$33,600

$39,530

$44,600

$43,750

Ecuador

$25,500

$35,000

$38,000

$43,320

Egypt

$8,273

$9,265

$13,236

$12,905

$11,030

France

$59,326

$62,863

$64,719

$61,483

$64,719

Germany

$80,899

$86,292

$88,449

$91,685

$102,472

Hong Kong

$66,744

$83,688

$80,340

$92,700

India

$21,111

$24,432

$24,680

$27,486

$30,540

Ireland

$73,995

$74,427

$77,663

$86,292

$86,292

Italy

$48,539

$52,315

$57,168

$53,933

$62,562

Japan

$53,940

$59,784

$62,930

$62,930

$71,920

Malaysia

$22,044

$30,309

$33,473

$26,134

$35,206

Mexico

$32,388

$31,730

$33,677

$31,177

$45,253

Netherlands

$72,170

$81,977

$85,496

$89,528

$97,079

New Zealand

$78,848

$84,480

$84,480

$95,040

$98,560

Nigeria

$14,724

$23,045

$26,956

$19,300

$22,330

Peru

$30,457

$34,272

$38,376

$44,163

$36,548

Poland

$35,321

$37,844

$43,142

$42,385

$41,628

Qatar

$79,021

$82,314

$96,033

$86,978

$98,777

Saudi Arabia

$62,759

$76,242

$75,975

$63,979

$63,979

Singapore

$55,729

$70,697

$71,724

$65,731

$85,736

South Africa

$55,846

$66,856

$69,146

$78,184

$83,111

South Korea

$62,300

$57,850

$71,200

$66,750

$71,200

Spain

$44,225

$48,539

$53,933

$52,315

$56,629

Sweden

$60,150

$68,102

$72,180

$73,201

$78,989

Switzerland

$119,884

$130,966

$141,040

$141,040

$148,180

Taiwan

$31,478

$29,511

$37,709

$39,348

Turkey

$33,130

$33,268

$33,130

$33,130

$38,099

United Arab Emirates

$89,829

$92,824

$96,982

$95,274

$83,920

United Kingdom

$69,356

$77,478

$86,226

$83,727

$93,724

United States

$105,000

$110,000

$116,000

$117,000

$125,103

How Does Median Project Manager Salary Vary by Project Budget?

Again, the larger the project budget, the more the project manager gets paid.

Country

< $100K

$100K-499K

$500K-999K

$1m-$10m

>$10m

Australia

$83,739

$91,769

$104,005

$117,005

$141,477

Belgium

$61,140

$70,112

$74,400

$86,292

$102,472

Brazil

$38,669

$40,312

$46,080

$48,336

$58,003

Canada

$59,996

$67,496

$73,495

$78,182

$89,994

Chile

$45,300

$51,008

$51,038

$63,420

$81,540

China

$23,232

$29,040

$29,040

$34,848

$29,040

Colombia

$23,052

$26,520

$31,766

$36,630

$43,758

Costa Rica

$32,813

$39,918

$39,120

$42,907

$45,500

Ecuador

$24,850

$32,500

$38,000

$43,250

$46,355

Egypt

$9,376

$9,899

$8,273

$11,912

$11,306

France

$57,708

$59,326

$62,562

$63,640

$69,034

Germany

$76,584

$80,899

$86,292

$94,813

$102,472

Hong Kong

$52,530

$64,375

$80,340

$78,409

$95,790

India

$22,905

$24,432

$27,486

$28,295

$29,777

Ireland

$66,443

$75,506

$71,083

$80,899

$91,685

Italy

$47,461

$51,775

$53,933

$56,090

$59,326

Japan

$58,147

$58,435

$62,930

$71,920

$71,920

Malaysia

$22,568

$27,082

$32,724

$33,852

$38,366

Mexico

$26,310

$32,730

$37,350

$40,412

$44,201

Netherlands

$81,792

$76,854

$77,663

$92,764

$107,865

New Zealand

$66,880

$79,200

$80,960

$91,520

$100,320

Nigeria

$15,312

$19,140

$23,447

$28,710

$22,968

Peru

$28,934

$30,579

$38,985

$40,356

$43,858

Poland

$33,807

$39,560

$39,357

$43,898

$49,070

Qatar

$66,058

$75,199

$77,375

$89,448

$88,899

Saudi Arabia

$45,532

$61,100

$53,316

$63,979

$72,776

Singapore

$55,729

$60,373

$65,946

$74,468

$77,877

South Africa

$55,527

$64,422

$67,015

$72,000

$87,758

South Korea

$55,180

$49,840

$62,300

$62,300

$64,970

Spain

$43,146

$47,461

$49,618

$53,933

$59,326

Sweden

$62,646

$68,094

$74,903

$74,336

$79,443

Switzerland

$110,817

$130,966

$130,966

$137,010

$148,092

Taiwan

$26,232

$29,511

$29,511

$37,709

Turkey

$33,130

$33,350

$33,130

$33,130

$36,443

United Arab Emirates

$65,330

$68,053

$82,207

$97,996

$97,998

United Kingdom

$66,856

$74,667

$74,979

$89,506

$92,474

United States

$92,000

$105,000

$110,000

$120,000

$130,000

Do you want to increase your chances of getting on bigger projects, and getting the rewards that come with it? Then get your PMP!

A Second Opinion: PayScale.com

All of the above data comes from PMI’s Earning Power Report (10th Edition). With data from 33,000 people across 37 countries, it’s a good-sized survey with excellent insights.

However, it does have one drawback. All of the survey respondents are associated with PMI. That does limit the sample set. So, let’s see what other sources say about how much PMP certification increases salary.

Here’s the data from PayScale.com of the difference it makes when you’re PMP certified.

This data is specifically for the United States, but it provides insight into the difference it makes for different project management related job titles.

The PMP Advantage by Job Title

Job Title

Non-PMP

PMP

Advantage

Annual $

Project Manager (general)

$74,000

$88,000

19%

$14,000

Senior Project Manager (general)

$89,000

$104,000

17%

$15,000

Project Manager, IT

$87,000

$96,000

10%

$9,000

Project Manager, Software Development

$87,000

$99,000

14%

$12,000

Technical Project Manager

$92,000

$101,000

10%

$9,000

Senior Project Manager, IT

$113,000

$115,000

2%

$2,000

Program Manager, IT

$112,000

$120,000

7%

$8,000

Service Delivery Manager

$86,000

$110,000

28%

$24,000

IT Manager

$88,000

$111,000

26%

$23,000

IT Director

$118,000

$143,000

21%

$25,000

Software Development Manager

$123,000

$125,000

2%

$2,000

Chief Information Officer

$158,000

$171,000

8%

$13,000

Chief Information Security Officer

$160,000

$174,000

9%

$14,000

Software Engineer / Developer

$71,000

$82,000

15%

$11,000

Certified Scrum Master (CSM)

$89,000

$102,000

15%

$13,000

Agile Coach

$123,000

$131,000

7%

$8,000

Sure enough, according to PayScale.com, the PMP advantage is not quite as high as the 23% reported by PMI. However, nearly every role in this table still shows a significant salary advantage.

Even higher-level positions, such as CIO (8%) and Chief Information Security Officer (9%). 8% may not sound like much, but that’s an average of $13,000per year.

And you don’t have to be a project manager to benefit from the PMP advantage:

Software Developers (15%, $11,000/yr)

How does $11,000 more per year sound? $110,000 over 10 years. Even if you spent $2,000 to get your PMP, that’s a great return on your investment. That’s an ROI of over 500% in the first year alone.

Even if you’re more focused on Agile and Scrum:

Certified Scrum Masters (15%, $13,000/yr)

Agile Coaches (7%, $8,000/yr)

How Much Does Experience Affect Salary for Different Job Titles?

This data is also specifically for the United States, but shows how experience affects a project manager’s salary based on PayScale.com’s data.

The Experience Advantage by Job Title

Job Title

< 1 yr

1-4 yrs

5-9 yrs

10-19 yrs

20+ yrs

Project Manager (general)

$55,000

$63,000

$77,000

$86,000

$90,000

Senior Project Manager (general)

$78,000

$88,000

$98,000

$104,000

Project Manager, IT

$60,000

$71,000

$88,000

$100,000

$110,000

Project Manager, Software Development

$59,000

$71,000

$88,000

$102,000

$113,000

Technical Project Manager

$57,000

$77,000

$92,000

$102,000

$111,000

Senior Project Manager, IT

$90,000

$92,000

$105,000

$116,000

$120,000

Program Manager, IT

$80,000

$87,000

$105,000

$119,000

$126,000

Service Delivery Manager

$60,000

$66,000

$81,000

$97,000

$111,000

IT Manager

$60,000

$67,000

$79,000

$93,000

$100,000

IT Director

$77,000

$79,000

$97,000

$121,000

$130,000

Software Development Manager

$98,000

$102,000

$112,000

$126,000

$130,000

Chief Information Officer

$101,000

$123,000

$129,000

$155,000

$176,000

Chief Information Security Officer

$106,000

$121,000

$129,000

$160,000

$172,000

Software Engineer / Developer

$74,000

$81,000

$92,000

$102,000

$110,000

Certified Scrum Master (CSM)

$67,000

$81,000

$97,000

$103,000

$115,000

Agile Coach

$75,000

$103,000

$122,000

$133,000

$140,000

Experience naturally makes a significant difference. However, notice that PMP certification is worth about 5 or 10 years of experience. That’s a nice shortcut to a higher salary.

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Testimonials

“The PM Ready™ Exam Simulator was very helpful in preparing me for the PMP® exam. I was able to pass the test the first time with above target on 4 of the 5 categories. The mock tests helped simulate the actual exam with the questions as difficult as the actual exam questions and with the pressure of being timed. Unlike other sites, the owner is actively engaged. Eric Isom, the owner, was very helpful and responsive to any questions I had about the tool.”

– Ronald Spencer, PMP

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Many mocks for PMP exams that are available are good, but they just repeat what is there in the PMBOK® Guide in camouflaged ways. Anyone who’s taken the PMP® exam knows that quite often sources of exam questions are not from the PMBOK® Guide because questions are not bound by PMBOK® Guide boundaries, and questions come from varied real project-life situations, questions that have troubled them, questions that may not have a simple straightforward answer. I chanced to browse sample questions from the PM Ready™ exam simulator of Eric O. Isom and found them refreshingly different from quizzes out there from some very big names. These are not just anchored to the PMBOK® Guide, but explore content authored by eminent industry practitioners. Such questions can only be set by very well read and experienced project managers like Eric. Each question quotes authority from PMBOK besides referring to authentic outside sources which the author feels PMP aspirants should know. Checking out Eric’s simulator may be well worth the effort and money. It gives refreshing insights which most others may not give.”